Chassis no. P5FH110151

292-cid, 198-hp OHV V-8 engine, three-speed Fordomatic transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel power hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 102-inches

As the story is told, Ford vice president Lewis Crusoe and chief stylist George Walker were walking down a street in Paris in 1951 when Crusoe pointed to a sports car at the curb. “Why can’t we have something like that?” Crusoe asked Walker. Walker got on the phone to Dearborn and set designer Frank Hershey to work on a two-seat car built around Ford mechanicals. A clay model was completed by May 1953, and Crusoe gave the go-ahead for production in September.

The truth is probably more complicated, but the fact remains that the 1955 Ford Thunderbird was a great hit and vastly outsold its ostensible competition, Chevrolet’s new Corvette. This red car is one of 16,155 built that year, and is equipped with Fordomatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, windshield washers, heater, a modern AM/FM/cassette stereo and aftermarket air conditioning. An Arizona car, it has received a rotisserie restoration and is immaculate throughout. Accompanied by both a white convertible top and removable hardtop, it is, in the words of Jan and Dean, ready for fun, fun, fun.